Backside Line
A protracted-time favourite for individuals who hate climbing with moist toes, the Salomon X Extremely GTX returns with its fifth iteration. With its up to date supplies, burly design, and superior sturdiness, the X Extremely 5 is certainly one of our prime climbing sneakers. Examined in Alaska’s Chugach Vary, we wrung this shoe by means of the wringer to disclose the way it carried out and the place it may use enchancment.
The X Extremely 5 is among the beefiest sneakers we examined. Weighing in at 1 lb 10.8 ozper pair, these are fairly a bit heavier than a lot of the sneakers we examined (a lot of that are path trainers). Nevertheless, we love the soundness that these sneakers present. Their steady platform makes them nice for off-trail adventures, they usually had been a favourite for conserving our toes protected whereas pounding by means of sharp scree and talus. After we crossed creeks and snow on an off-trail traverse in Alaska’s Chugach Vary, the GORE-TEX membrane saved our toes dry – a should for any lengthy journey.
Those that rely each ounce of their equipment could discover the X Extremely 5 a bit too beefy for his or her style, and their slender foot form could not agree with wider toes. However those that require sturdy climate resistance, nice traction, and stable stability for rugged adventures will really feel proper at dwelling within the Salomon X Extremely 5.
Fast Specs
Males’s Salomon X Extremely 5 GTX
Greatest Mountaineering Footwear General
CleverHiker Score:
4.8/5.0
Worth:
$170
Weight (Pair):
1 lb. 11 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop:
11 mm
Professionals
- Snug
- Breathable
- Waterproof
- Secure
- Wonderful traction
Cons
- Heavy
- Single-lace eyeholes
- Restricted sturdiness
- Lengthy break-in
- Not the very best for scrambling
- Costly
Consolation
We wore the Salomon X Extremely 5 for over 50 miles and located that it has one of many longest break-in durations of any shoe we examined. It took about forty miles for the toe crease to put on in as they made a popping noise with every step because the higher materials rebounded. This noise disappeared because the crease wore in.
Paradoxically, the X Extremely has a slender width, however a big quantity. This resulted in a barely awkward match the place our toes felt barely crunched, however the higher needed to be cinched all down a lot that the opposing eyelets had been touching to safe our toes.
We liked the X Extremely 5s for his or her extremely steady really feel. Sporting these on steep rocky terrain, they felt stable and supportive with a lot of safety for off-trail journey. Nevertheless, their thick materials, whereas strongly weather-resistant and supportive, makes them sizzling. These usually are not our best choice to put on for a desert journey however are excellent for cool and damp days.
Traction
The X-Extremely 5 options Salomon’s proprietary Contragrip rubber, a powerful compound with nice grip. The deep, broadly positioned lugs are nice for digging into free surfaces and shedding mud rapidly. They by no means gummed up, even whereas bushwhacking by means of a few of Alaska’s infamous bogs. The chevron sample is nice for multi-directional grip, they usually felt safe whereas descending steep pitches of alpine rock and tundra.
The stiff and arduous Contragrip rubber compound does undergo on clean and moist surfaces, although. The grip was much less confidence-inspiring whereas hopping throughout slippery river rocks, and it was noticeably slick on clean shale. Nevertheless, its traction was nonetheless among the many better of the sneakers we examined; these choose floor sorts gave them a bit of extra bother.
Weight
There’s no getting round that these are heavy and burly sneakers. Weighing in at 1 lb 10.8 ounces per pair, the X Extremely 5s are among the heavier sneakers in our lineup. This was noticeable on lengthy hikes, particularly when the sneakers turned moist. In case you’re somebody who counts each ounce, then these are possible not the sneakers for you. However their heft interprets right into a extremely steady shoe that may pound by means of any terrain.
Sturdiness
One noticeable replace for the fifth model of the X Extremely is its elevated sturdiness. The brand new Matryx woven higher is extraordinarily sturdy, up to now proving to eradicate the toe crease blowout frequent in earlier supplies. This materials was constructed with high-tenacity Kevlar and technical yarn to present it distinctive sturdiness. In over 50 miles of beating these sneakers by means of scree, rocks, and rugged trails, they confirmed no indicators of slowing down. In case you’re on the lookout for a shoe to final day after day on the path, the X Extremely 5 is a good alternative.
Climate Resistance
With its GORE-TEX membrane, the X Extremely 5 is among the greatest sneakers we examined for moist and muddy days on the path. Sporting these for an off-trail traverse in Alaska’s Chugach vary, we liked their capacity to maintain our toes dry whereas crossing creeks and snow patches. They successfully saved our toes dry – although the thick materials is noticeably heat and doesn’t breathe in addition to others. We suggest these sneakers for anybody who spends prolonged durations climbing in moist and funky climate.
Ought to You Purchase The Salomon X Extremely 5 GTX Mountaineering Shoe?
In case you’re somebody who hikes off-trail in moist, muddy, or snowy situations frequently, then you’ll love the X Extremely 5. It’s extremely weather-resistant, excellent for crossing streams and snow. Nevertheless, its thicker higher materials traps additional warmth, making it not your best option for warm summer season temperatures. The X Extremely 5’s weight is probably not the very best match for ultra-light lovers, nevertheless it makes it nice for off-trail and tough path hikes the place stability is paramount. Decide up a pair in your subsequent rugged journey that requires sturdy climate resistance, sturdiness, and traction for journey in demanding environments.
What Different Mountaineering Footwear Ought to You Contemplate?
Try our full lineup of climbing shoe to see our different favorites:
Merrell Moab 3 Evaluation: In case you like extremely steady and supportive sneakers, the Merrell Moab 3 matches the invoice.
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 Evaluation: On the reverse finish of the load spectrum from the Extremely X 5, the Ultraventure 4 is extraordinarily mild and nimble.
Altra Lone Peak 9 Evaluation: With its huge toe field and 0 drop profile, the Lone Peak is ideal for the pure foot form fanatic.
